Feds bust man in Nigerian mail fraud scheme

Published 5:25 pm, Wednesday, July 29, 2015

A 38-year-old Lake Charles man who posed as "Sudan" in emails requesting money was convicted on Wednesday by a federal jury of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, two counts of mail fraud, and two counts of aggravated identity theft following a four day trial.

According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Heesham Broussard participated in a Nigerian-based mail fraud scheme that distributed counterfeit postal money orders and checks.

The scheme targeted victims throughout the United States. Victims of the scheme were led to believe that they were working as mystery shoppers. Broussard served as a re-shipper or dispatcher of counterfeit postal money orders and checks, the release said.

As part of the scheme, he sent packages to more than 600 intended victims and sent counterfeit items bearing a face value of more than $1 million, the release said. Broussard was indicted by a federal grand jury on Jan. 22, 2014.

Broussard's co-conspirators, Olumide Lalemi, also known as Paul Smith, the Nigerian organizer of the scheme, and Victoria Williams, a re-shipper, have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud, the release said. Lalemi and Williams will appear before Judge Schneider for sentencing. At sentencing, both defendants face up to 20 years in federal prison.

Broussard faces up to 20 years in federal prison for the conspiracy conviction, 20 years for each mail fraud conviction, and two years for each aggravated identity theft conviction, the release said. A sentencing date has not been sent.

Any individuals with knowledge of these or other mail fraud violations are encouraged to contact the Homeland Security Investigations Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Tip Line at 877-876-2455.